Code Vein adopts the Souls-like formula in its structure, presenting a familiar cycle of progression and basic combat similarities, and there are some interesting ideas here, too, built around the use of various Blood Codes and their distinct Gifts. You can see the fragments of a fantastic game hidden within these systems and its meaty combat feedback, but the mundanity of its enemies and the effect they have on nullifying the combat’s enjoyment prevent Code Vein from ever realizing its potential.
Despite building itself on well-tread ground, Code Vein definitely moves to the beat of its own drummer, but that beat can lose its rhythm when you need it to be steady. Some changes like being able to easily switch around and experiment with classes on the fly are great, while others like its inconsistent AI partner could be more trouble than they were worth at times. But in both the good and the bad, I appreciated its enthusiasm for mixing things up and getting a little weird. If you’re looking for a unique take on a familiar type of challenge, and are open to loving and hating a game for its many mechanical quirks in the same breath, Code Vein is worth sinking your teeth into.
Code Vein is trying to be anime Dark Souls, and there’s no way around it. This title attempts to pull every possible mechanic and feature from From Software’s heralded series, then add a bit of its own flair. Developers taking inspiration from other games is common, but Code Vein shamelessly goes all-in; several levels and a boss fight will be immediately and eerily familiar to Souls fans. The end result feels rough around the edges. Combat lacks weight, fights are forgettable, and byzantine stages desperately try (and fail) to capture the things that make Souls-like games interesting.
Overall, Code Vein offers an experience that’s a bit too similar to the FromSoftware games that established the genre. Its combat doesn’t stray far from other Soulslike games but with features such as the Blood Code system, it does offer some variety that could lead to wanting to complete multiple playthroughs. The anime art style and story can be both absurd but also entertaining to watch at the same time. If you love Soulslikes and want an experience that will be very similar to past games, then maybe Code Vein is right for you. However, if you’re looking for a new take on the subgenre, you may have to wait a bit longer.
Code Vein is anime power fantasy junk food, but it’s elevated by superb character customization and a memorable story. While that’s kind of my jam, I recognize that that won’t be the case for everyone. It’s a worse action game than Dark Souls, and it’s one of the weaker dungeon-crawlers I’ve played. It’s an OK game that will strongly appeal to a certain type of person. That person is me, but it might not be you.
Code Vein is a unique take on the formula that attempts to do a lot of new things within the established framework and mostly succeeds. Some of the cutscenes go on for way too long, and there are moments where you can watch the memories of other characters via static, disconnected dream sequences that you can only walk slowly through which are horribly disruptive and, frankly, dull, but I give Bandai Namco props for daring to bring a fully realised plot to this genre. The writing is even pretty decent throughout – a handful of JRPG character tropes notwithstanding.
Despite a number of performance issues and combat that can feel just a little too loose and mashy compared to its genre-mates, Code Vein presents a unique and, dare-I-say, slightly more casual alternative to titles like Bloodborne and Dark Souls. It’s no revolution, but, perhaps ironically, Code Vein is an enjoyable, compelling Soulslike with a great deal of heart.
Code Vein is a stylish JRPG with an interesting combat system that just falls short in a few areas. Its inspirations are clearly worn on its sleeve, but it brings enough to the table to stand out on its own. This title has promise, and we think the developer could iron it out into a worthy franchise if it’s given the chance to make future installments.
With good ideas in terms of gameplay that are poorly executed and interesting themes that go completely unexplored, Code Vein ends up being unfortunately just another average Dark Souls clone with a slightly different flavor that it doesn’t even try to offer in spades.
There was a lot of potential for Code Vein to end up little more than a mediocre Dark Souls clone dressed in anime clothing, and yet, it’s actually kinda, sorta, pretty good. The game mixes some long-established gameplay qualities with a totally engrossing class system and a story that’s more enjoyable than it has any right to be. Code Vein won’t be for everyone, even if you’re a Souls fan, but if the overall idea sounds appealing, the execution might surprise you.
Code Vein does a few things well, like the amount you can customize as well as how enjoyable it is to explore the world proper. However, combat lacks the kind of refinement needed for such a complicated battlefield, and companions prove either useless or render you useless. Code Vein features many heavy inconsistencies that hide away a few good ideas.
Code Vein is a sexist action RPG about post-apocalyptic vampires that borrows liberally from Dark Souls, while speeding up and complicating its combat in ways that I really like. The plot’s a bit rubbish.
But despite its occasionally tedious locations, Code Vein does tap into the satisfaction that comes from exploration and conquest. With no real loading screens, you’ll want to keep pushing forward, testing your luck and hopefully pushing your sidekick off a skyscraper. The combat has a lot going on, even if most of the encounters start with the same type of ambush. Whether Code Vein can be remembered in the same way as Dragon’s Dogma is yet to be seen, but its over the top edgy aesthetic and pretty decent combat make it fun enough to jump into.
If it wasn’t obvious enough yet, it’s worth saying right now: Code Vein is like Dark Souls. It’s cliché to try to compare From Software’s landmark series to anything these days, but the shoe fits in this case. It fits so well one might think Bandai Namco had this game developed out of desperation to fill a Souls-shaped hole in its catalog.
In its defense, Code Vein has never really tried to hide that fact. From the earliest previews to the most recent demos, it’s even leaned into its reverence for the “SoulsBorne” structure, as if to signal to potential players that yes, it will try to capture that magic.
Which leaves us with the more pertinent question of whether it succeeds in its ambition. I’m not quite done with the game yet, but so far, I’ve had quite a good time mainlining it.
Por fim, veja a seguir algumas dicas que o PlayStation.Blog fornece aos jogadores.
Mate ou morra — o mundo de Code Vein é duro e imperdoável. Como um Revenant, você poderá escolher diversos Blood Codes, Blood Veils, Gifts e armas em uma miríade de combos que o darão uma distinta vantagem em combate. Adicione ataques estratégicos e coordenação com seu parceiro na mistura, e você tem um infinito número de opções para explorar em sua estratégia de batalha. Não sabe ao certo onde começar em sua luta pela sobrevivência? Não se preocupe — daremos dicas valiosas para usar em sua jornada.
Codes Secretos
Durante a experiência Code Vein, há uma considerável quantidade de caminhos distintos, com áreas escondidas para explorar. Fique de olho nos brilhos que identificam itens ou nas marcas em seu mini mapa. Eles podem ser Vestiges — fragmentos de Blood Codes — que podem ser usados para destravar memórias e Gifts. Alguns gifts requerem múltiplos Vestiges para destravar, então fique ligado. Se estiver tendo problemas, há também Gifts específicos que podem ajudar a identificar itens em uma área maior.
“Me Ressuscite!”
Em Code Vein, não há vergonha em morrer. Morrer é uma grande forma de testar habilidades diferentes e táticas para vencer situações difíceis. Ter um parceiro em suas aventuras é muito útil, pois ele possui a habilidade de ressuscitá-lo em uma curta janela após você perder toda a sua vida, assim como você pode ressuscitá-lo também; mas a habilidade de ressurreição de ambos possui um tempo de recarga.
Quando estiver lutando contra chefes ou mobs, é imprescindível prestar atenção no ícone de seu parceiro, já que ele indica se eles podem ressuscitá-lo novamente. Se ainda estiver em tempo de recarga, talvez seja melhor voltar e ir com cuidado até que ele possa fazê-lo novamente.
Prepare-se Para a Próxima Batalha
Antes de entrar em uma luta contra um chefe, algumas preparações podem ser feitas para dar-lhe a vantagem que precisa no começo da luta. Antes de entrar no campo de batalha e iniciar a luta, examine quais gifts dão buffs que seriam vantajoso na luta, como fortificação adicional, ou ataques elementais em suas armas. Apesar de sua duração começar a cair do momento em que são aplicados, eles ainda estarão ativos quando você entrar na luta, o que te dá a chance de jogar agressivamente desde o começo.
Além disso, se você acertar um inimigo com um Drain Attack primeiro, você ganhará dois Ichors adicionais logo de cara, dando mais flexibilidade com mais oportunidades de uso de habilidades durante a batalha.
A Definição de Insanidade
Há um ditado que diz que a definição de insanidade é repetir as mesmas ações e esperar resultados diferentes. Durante o jogo, há muitos pontos onde você pode encontrar uma barreira de dificuldade. Devido ao fato de você poder mudar sua classe de personagem por meio do Blood Code a qualquer momento, mudar tudo um pouco de tempos em tempos é importante, pois pode te dar maiores chances de sucesso em determinadas lutas.
Mudar seu Blood Code (ou classe) pode afetar sua força, velocidade, proficiência com tipos de Gift, estoque base de Ichor e afins. Adicionalmente, você pode mudar seu parceiro NPC, armas, Gifts e Blood Veil; tudo isso pode ser exatamente o que você precisa para derrubar aquele oponente antes invencível. Vá e teste, afina, qual o pior que pode acontecer?
Doce Alívio
Para aliviar-se de condições negativas, você tem algumas opções. Usar um consumível é ma forma rápida de retirar uma mudança de status, apesar de ter um custo (a compra do item no shop). Além disso, um consumível irá apenas remover o status de você, deixando seu parceiro ainda afetado.
Alternativamente, você pode usar o Blood Code correto com o Gift apropriado para remover o status. Assim como Gifts que podem buffar seu personagem, existem Gifts que podem remover status negativos tanto em você quanto em seu parceiro.
Lembre-se destas dicas em sua jornada para ganhar uma vantagem nas batalhas contra os Lost. O começo de sua jornada está quase aqui, e estamos empolgados para você enfrentar os formidáveis desafios de Code Vein!
